Overdose looks overrated after disappointing debut at Haydock

Overdose and jockey Andreas Suborics in the parade ring before the Temple Stakes at Haydock. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

The Hungarian flag made what was surely its first appearance here, unfurled by a supporter of Overdose, the Budapest Bullet, as the sprinter cantered down to the start for the Temple Stakes. Moments later, it had disappeared into the crowd even before he crossed the line in a most disappointing seventh place.

In a box overlooking the winning post, the 24 Hungarian guests of Zoltan Mikoczy, the devoted owner of Overdose, maintained a sombre silence as their host stared out over the Merseyside track. It was only the second defeat in 17 career starts for his pride and joy but this was a much more serious test than the horse faced in his races in Budapest and Bratislava, and Mikoczy knows that many will now believe that Overdose has been overrated.

Victory went to Sole Power, who may have been underrated since winning last year's Nunthorpe Stakes at 100-1. "Anyone who thought he fluked the Nunthorpe can think again," said his trainer, Edward Lynam., who said the York race was again the main target for the year.

It may very well be that at the age of six and with a history of foot problems, Overdose is no longer capable of competing at this level, but his Hungarian fans can take some comfort from the words of his jockey, Andreas Suborics.

"The way he galloped means he will need a little bit softer ground, because of the injuries he had before," the rider reported. He said he had known they would be beaten at halfway because, although Overdose was in front and had been setting a strong pace, he could feel the horse lifting his legs "higher and higher" off the turf as he responded to the discomfort of racing on fast ground.

Mikoczy did not appear especially comforted when those words were relayed to him, though he reported that Overdose had also lost a back shoe in the race. "We were hoping for a better result," the owner said. "We have to try again, to see if we can get the right conditions, so we're not giving up."

Overdose's trainer, Jozef Roszival, will decide whether the horse will now line up against Sole Power and Kingsgate Native, Saturday's runner-up, in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. "The question is whether we can get the horse back to the sort of form we would like," Mikoczy said. "I believe the journey [from Hungary to a temporary base in Sussex] may have taken a lot more out of the horse than we thought, perhaps. Pulborough to Ascot is not far, so he has no more big journeys to make."

At The Curragh, the 17-year-old Joseph O'Brien, son of the trainer, Aidan, enjoyed his first Classic success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas aboard Roderic O'Connor, trained by his father. The pair hung on by three parts of a length from the favourite, Dubawi Gold, delivered very late by Richard Hughes.

"This is one of those days that you couldn't dream about happening," said O'Brien Sr. "I can't explain just how delighted we are. Joseph works very hard and he knows this horse well. All credit must go to the owners for giving him the chance."

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